Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-11

of Rupert Paulet. He smiled at his
friend as he declared his mission to
Lady Geraldine.
That evening Rupert Paulet dined
tete-a-tete with Mr.. Codd. When the
servants left the room, a silence fell
between the two men.
cam | to congratulate you, old fell
low? said Mr.. Codd, at last.
"My dear Codd, you are the best
hacker in the world. You may con-
gratulate me; l have won her, and it
is all owing to you. You have put
the only lucky chance l have ever had
in my way There'll be the deuce to
pay with her ladyship, of course, but
when she knows all there may be ex
tenuating circumstances.
Mr.. Codd, getting up from his seat,
laid hand on the younger mans
shoulder.
81 was nearly falling in love with
her myself in the beginning, Paulet.
She is beautiful creature"
$50 | thought-so | was afraid"
answered Rupert.
"But l soon saw how it was and it
wouldn't have been any good. can't
think how she has been bred so true.
The mother would sell her soul for
money. And that little Lady Mar
garet-she is charming" here Mr..
Codd sighed; "and she is SO tired of
Lords and Marquises." Mr.. Codd,
throwing back his head, laughed
pleasantly.
"Shall tell the Countess all about
it tomorrow? l have an appointment
with her in the morning."
eff you only would, my dear Codd.
You might break it gently. Pm in a
mortal funk when l think of facing
her."
On the morrow Mr.. Codd jumped
into hanson with a cheerful mien
and drove down to Prince's-gate.
Lady Umfreville was, of course, at
home, and would receive Mr.. Codd in
her boudoir. This solicited interview
surely BODIED some good news.
''Yov are an early visitor" she said i,
smiling; 81 thought you were always
in the city at II o'clock"
''Not always, Lady Umfreville.
And happily l have taken a partner
who will relieve me of much respon-
sibility"
'Indeee-a very wise step. A ris-
ing young city man, suppose? If he
is friend of yours, you must bring
him here some day"
"No, he is not city man, but for
all that he has useful business talents.
1t is Mr.. Paulet He is very reliable
young fellow, and have every con-
fidence in him." Lady Umfreville
stared at Mr.. Codd in undignified
amazement.
"Rupert Paulet your partner! He
wrote to say he had communication
to make to me. Can it possibly be
this? What do his prospects signify
to me-"
"a good deal, l fancy. | believe he
wishes to marry your daughter"
The lady turned pale. 1t was clear
from this that Mr.. Codd had no matri-
monial intentions regarding Lady Ger
aldine.
"My daughter" she almost
screamed, "that penniless man marry
my beautiful Geraldine? Never!"
"You forget that he has good pros
pects.-that as my partner he is long
way from penniless."
"She has deceived mel am Nc
match for her." said the Countess
tragically as she rang the bell and
ordered a servant to summon Lady
Geraldine.
The young lady appeared promptly
| GLOW do you do, Mr.. Codd?" and
she warmly pressed his hand" What
do you want me tor, mamma ?"
81 understand from Mr.. Codd that
Rupert Paulet has proposed to you
and is coming to speak to me on the
subject. You have had the audacity
to accept him ?"
eyes, mamma, but you only under
. stand part of the truth. You do not
understand what part generous city
man has played. l owe Il debt OF
| gratitude to Mr.. Codd l can never re.
, pay. BY his help / am saved from
some mercenary marriage, and am
able to marry the man | love. !
mean to marry Rupert Paulet. You
know well enough that he and have
loved each other from childhood, and
yet-yet you threw me at Mr.. Codd' s
head. l did not do him justice at
first. | could not believe in so much
} kindness-that he was playing a part,
for Ruperts sake, to shield me from
; him beyond all words. He has even
deceived you"
| These were bitter words, spoken in
tone OF scorn that cut home.
"Leave the room instantly. If you
marry Rupert Paulet it will not be
with my consent"
Mr.. Codd seemed to have something
more to say.
"There is another matter of more
importance to me, personally, Lady
Umfreville," he stammered little.
"You have another daughter-she is
a charming girl. 1t is not possible
that her affections are already engaged.
Have Iyour permission to pay my ad-
dresses to her?"
The Countess was dumbfounded.
"Mr. Codd, l am amazed. How
have you made her acquaintance
She is yet in the schoolroom.
Mr.. Codd explained rather lamely.
Lady Umfreville sighed. This was
a mitigation of the calamity. If Ger
aldine insisted en- marrying Rupert,
who was so likely to give assistance as
Mr.. Codd, if a brothcr-in-law?
1t came to pass at the end of the
season that Lady Umfreville's two
lovely daughters were given away at
the same altar.
"Optimus is darling" wrote Lady
Margaret month later to her sister.
"He is just the sort of husband to suit
me. Every one ought to marry a city
man. He thinks everything l say and do
is right, and is, Oh, 80 generous. He
isn't handsome, but then he isn't bit
jealous, and let's me dance with all the
best looking men, and when I come
back to him think how stupid they
all were, and when 1 tell him so, he
looks rather pleased. Pm glad now
didn't come out last season. Pm